Focal Maestro Utopia

[Macca]

Originally Posted by Themis

I listened to them the other day. These are truly exceptional speakers, nothing less to say about. I envy the future owner.

How do you get to hear all of this high-end stuff Dimitri? Do you live next door to a dealership or something?

[Themis]

Originally Posted by Macca

How do you get to hear all of this high-end stuff Dimitri? Do you live next door to a dealership or something?

Well, it depends what. It's easier for Focal, I have to say...
For this particular subject, I accompanied a friend who was wishing to renew his JBL 260 Anniversary speakers... Lucky !

As a whole I have good relationships with several of my (ex+present) audio dealers in several towns. When I travel I often drop for a hello and a chat.

[Macca]

Originally Posted by Themis

Well, it depends what. It's easier for Focal, I have to say...
For this particular subject, I accompanied a friend who was wishing to renew his JBL 260 Anniversary speakers... Lucky !

As a whole I have good relationships with several of my (ex+present) audio dealers in several towns. When I travel I often drop for a hello and a chat.

How did they compare to the JBL's? I'm a big JBL fan.

[Themis]

Originally Posted by Macca

How did they compare to the JBL's? I'm a big JBL fan.

It's hard to compare exactly, but in my opinion:
- The individual drivers are "cleaner" (should I say "faster") on the Focal, but the inertia of the JBLs is not a downside to my ears. Certainly the amplification has a lot to do here.
- The main difference was the driver "merging" (I hope it's the right word) when listening from realistically close position : The Utopias give the feeling of almost listening to one single driver. They are quite amazing in this respect, they make you forget their size. The 260s don't quite have this quality.

[Macca]

Originally Posted by Themis

It's hard to compare exactly, but in my opinion:
- The individual drivers are "cleaner" (should I say "faster") on the Focal, but the inertia of the JBLs is not a downside to my ears. Certainly the amplification has a lot to do here.
- The main difference was the driver "merging" (I hope it's the right word) when listening from realistically close position : The Utopias give the feeling of almost listening to one single driver. They are quite amazing in this respect, they make you forget their size. The 260s don't quite have this quality.

I know what you mean about the 'merging' effect

Big priced difference though - what are the JBL260? £1500? It's a major upgrade in speakers for your pal if he goes for them.

[Themis]

Originally Posted by Macca

Big priced difference though - what are the JBL260? £1500? It's a major upgrade in speakers for your pal if he goes for them.

I seem to remember that his speakers costed (when he bought them) around £3k, but I can't recall exactly, it was a few years ago (I was also there when he chose them).

No, he won't get these Utopia, they are too expensive(for his plans), you are right. He targets speakers towards £7k, he told me. He likes listening to higher-than-planned costing speakers. A bit of a strange guy.

[hifinutt]

certainly the focal scala`s in the manchester show attracted a lot of attention, so much so they did not have capacity to put the diablo on which i would like to hear.

[Macca]

Originally Posted by Themis

I seem to remember that his speakers costed (when he bought them) around £3k, but I can't recall exactly, it was a few years ago (I was also there when he chose them).

No, he won't get these Utopia, they are too expensive(for his plans), you are right. He targets speakers towards £7k, he told me. He likes listening to higher-than-planned costing speakers. A bit of a strange guy.

I think he has method in his madness - you first listen to a £30K 'speaker then that gives you a bench mark for the £7K speakers you are interested in - if you can get a £7K that even comes close to the £30K jobbies - result!

[Themis]

Originally Posted by Macca

I think he has method in his madness - you first listen to a £30K 'speaker then that gives you a bench mark for the £7K speakers you are interested in - if you can get a £7K that even comes close to the £30K jobbies - result!

How interesting ! You must be right...

That is, one day I would like to listen to the Grande Utopia III (£100k+), too, but I just can't figure how...

[hifinutt]

i heard them with guy sargearts preamp and in quite a small room , towering beasts , not sure i`d risk 250kg on my wooden suspended floor!!